Household Sewage System Management Program

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Non-point source pollution, which includes the effluent from malfunctioning household sewage systems, fertilizers, and other surface runoff contaminants, is often identified as a major contributor to poor water quality in a watershed. Specific sources of non-point source pollution are often difficult to identify. This form of pollution is discharged to common collector pipes, storm sewers, and roadside ditches which often drain to streams, rivers, and ultimately to Lake Erie.  Additional information on non-point source pollution is available at the Ohio EPA's website.

To assist in addressing these water quality concerns, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health implemented its current Household Sewage System Management Program in 1993. This program utilizes a diverse watershed-based approach to identify and minimize the impact household sewage systems have on the environment. This program is one of many similar programs currently administered by local health departments throughout the State of Ohio.

The Household Sewage Management Program provides for county-wide stream monitoring and sampling of surface waters. This sampling assists the Board of Health in prioritizing areas determined to be adversely impacted by pollution sources. A number of permanent water quality monitoring sites have also been established in watersheds throughout our health district. These sites are sampled for numerous water quality parameters on a routine basis to help identify whether or not the overall water quality is improving in those specific areas.

Since the inception of the program, many educational seminars have been conducted for homeowners who utilize household sewage systems. Whether during a meeting, a conversation at the property, or over the telephone, our sanitarians assist homeowners by providing specific information on their individual sewage system along with suggestions on the maintenance of their system. Detailed information on the care and maintenance of household sewage systems is also provided in this web site.

Along with requested point-of-sale inspections and nuisance complaint investigations, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health also conducts operational maintenance inspections of household sewage systems. An Application For a Household Sewage System Evaluation is available on this web site.

Sewage system evaluations are scheduled and conducted throughout the communities we service. As these systems are evaluated, the data that is gathered is provided to community officials along with pertinent water quality sampling data. The Board of Health collaborates with community officials to develop feasible solutions for correcting the sewage treatment and disposal problems identified. In many circumstances, the design and installation of a sanitary sewer is the most practical solution for eliminating failing sewage systems. In other locations, the installation of a sanitary sewer may not be feasible. In these situations, the repair or replacement of malfunctioning household sewage systems will be necessary. Homeowners are typically involved in the decision process and are kept informed as these determinations are made.

A number of municipalities have completed preliminary studies and have determined that the installation of a sanitary sewer in certain areas is not feasible or cost-effective. Topographical limitations, large lot sizes, and sparse population in an area may result in a sewer project not being practical. In these communities, the Board of Health collaborates with homeowners to repair or replace failing systems. To date, several thousand malfunctioning sewage systems have been repaired or replaced throughout Cuyahoga County. Likewise, over 5,000 systems have been eliminated from use as the result of sanitary sewer installation.

The activities in the Household Sewage Management Program are supported by fees collected from annual management permits which are required of all homeowners who utilize household sewage systems. This $60.00 annual permit is renewed prior to September 1st of each year.  For years, these annual permits were referred to as Household Sewage Operation and Maintenance Permits.  However, due to requirements in the state's sewage rules and the CCBH Sewage Treatment System Rules, the actual permit name was modified to prevent confusion and conflict with the Household Sewage Treatment System Operation Permit that our office is required to issue to a homeowner when their new sewage treatment system has been installed, is operational and has been approved for use.  Likewise, the title of Management Permit better reflects the diverse management activities our staff conduct under the program.

If you have any questions regarding the program, please contact a sanitarian in the Environmental Health Service Area of the Cuyahoga County Board of Health at (216) 201-2020.